Estilos de conducción y salud mental en conductores motorizados del cantón Flavio Alfaro, provincia de Manabí, durante el período 2025 2026

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine driving styles and mental health among motor vehicle drivers in Flavio Alfaro Canton, Manabí Province, during the 2025 2026 period. The research followed a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive design. The sample consisted of 32 motor vehicle drivers selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using an Ad Hoc sociodemographic questionnaire, the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory (MDSI), the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The results showed a predominance of adaptive driving styles, with the stress reduction style obtaining the highest mean (Mp = 0.877). Among the maladaptive driving styles, the anxious style presented the highest mean (Mp = 1.086), followed by the distress-reduction style (Mp = 0.878). Regarding mental health, social dysfunction obtained the highest score (M = 5.94), followed by somatic symptoms (M = 3.53) and anxiety and insomnia (M = 2.13). Concerning alcohol consumption, 71.9% of the participants were classified in the abstinence or low-risk category. It is concluded that adaptive driving styles predominate; however, emotional factors and alcohol consumption may affect drivers' mental health and road safety.